Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-06-04
CULTURE AND DEYEL-
nPMENT.

In 1850 Charles Dickens commenced the
publication of weekly periodical known
as Household Words. In this same year
the first volume of Hdrpc,'s Monthly was
published. and into the Monthly was copied
an extraordinary article entitled. my Won
derful Adventures in Skitzland," from
Household Words. Whether il was writ
ten by Mr.. Dickens. himself. we do not
know. but 1t was worthy Of his pen. 1t
the author As falling asleep in
his garden and falling through hole into
the center OF the earth. or. rather into a
new world. The idea wrought out and il
luStrated in the story was one familiar to
close aid intelligent observers namely -
that human organs and faculties which are
properly exercised are properly and suffi-
ciently developed, and that those which are
neglected become dwsrfed and enfeebled.
L nder the SkitZland system. men who used
their stomachs chiefly became, ultimately.
all stomach all the other organs dropping
OF. These whhse use of the eye WAS out
OF proportion to the Use ot other organs.
crystalized into an eye. Other people, by
means of corresponding process, derel-
oped into aSsinine and Alpine ears. and
still Others became able and industrious
mouths and nothing else, and they were
continually firing themselves off-alwayS
saying something and never doing any
thing. Those who did not Use their arms
or their legs lost them and went
about in the form of some sole and sbnor-
mslly developed organ.
We do not 20 So far ss thi>-outside at
Skitlland Bat We may say, In the Ian
guage OF the common people the United
States language. to-wit-that many people
run" largely 10 mouth. or 10 stomach. or
to muscle, and therefore acquire develop
ment that is ont Of proportion. School
children and college students and people
who are studiuus after school days, cult
yate and develop the head al the expense "t
the body and not unfrequenily, at the eN-
pt.rlSe of the heart. Abnormal develop
ment of any kind is unhealthy and i'm
proper. A boy who becomes all head Is of
little Use. Neither Is one of much force
who is all heart. One who is all muscle
may be- made Seryiceable, in breaking stone,
possibly. and one who is all legs may be-
made Ia do some good In running errands IA
localities not reached by the telephone.
What We need. everywhere. is a system
atical and symmetrical culture and develop
A. 81. l,.., H., land hi>
sister should enjoy system of education
and training in which the head. the heart,
the arms, the legs: and all other organs, ap
prndageS and faculties, are properly cared
for and looked after. ABNORMAL develop
ment or use often induces, il il does moi
caltivate, disease. The ideal human being
i the man or the woman in whom each and
all parts are doing their proportionate and
working at the expense of the body, or tht
body at the expense of the head.
4 great degree Of symmetry may be oh
tanned through the cultivation of both brain
alone may be- produced splendid human
animal perfect in form aud feature-bni
this animal is not the ideal man: for a man,
to illustrate and exemplify perfection must
have with symmetry and completeness OF
mind and muscle. fully developed heart
with a conscience feelings and sym
pathies which expand his vision and inter
est beyond The boundaries of his own per
,ha,t tk.,- h.n oil la,
is human in the world. The true mar
cares more about duty to others than fol
his own personal rights or perquisites.
When ne has acquired a high mental and
moral development he will ask himself
what he may and can do To promote the
good of others: how he may increase the
happiness of his fellows. of the members OF
mis- family. of his neighbors. of his fellow
countrymen. and of the people of the world
at large. and when he has put himself int
normal and properly cultivated physica
condition. he is prepared to do effective
work in these lines.
by way of practically illustrating wha
we mean, We may say that we ought Il
give more practical cultivation TO our lower
eXtremities- those which operate inside
OF trousers. Our legs are too often neg
lecied. to our discomfort and dscredit. and
they have right to complaint not IL
kick" The leg is an important member
of the human frame and is capable Of very
useful kind of cultivation. Men should
give personal and practical attention 10 theil
extremes. The legs should have the sym.
pathy and helpful direction of the head and
the head. The same relations exist be-
tween the arms and the head-and the arm.
and the legs. One may employ his legs tC
advantage on bicycle, or tricycle., or a
tandem. Eminent gentlemen of brain and
heart give us their personal testimony u
the fact that exercise OH wheels has pro
NOTED their muscular power, has nyerthrown
disease, has strengthened the stomach and
given health, strength and physical enjoy
ment in large ami grand degree In this con
dition We do not need 10 say that the brain
l. in circumstances and all environment
which enable il 10 do its best But the
good old-fashioned practice of walking
gives very good exercise 10 the legs. Amer
leans and especially Amegican women
do not walk enough, and do not walk well
enough True walking, of the most useful.
effective sort, does not come by nature.
One must learn how to walk well-quietly
gracefully. sOlidly-nOt too fast not too slow
but only just fast enOugh-and quite fast
enough. A good walker is usually good
eater. whose food digests and aSsimilates.
And there are other methods of cultivatine
the power and capabilities of the human
frame, 80 thai it will prove itself proper
and useful receptacle and vehicle Of the